Bangladeshi Male Health and Advice Project

The Banglasdeshi Islamic Centre (BIC) is a community organisation based in North Smethwick that provides numerous services to the local community.

The Male Health and Advice Project is one of the projects of BIC, which was initially funded by the National Lottery Charities Board, for a period of six years from August 1997. The project is currently funded by the Oldbury and Smethwick Primary Care Trust for a further three years. The main focus of the project is to improve the quality of life of local Bangladeshi families within the Sandwell borough with particular emphasis on Bangladeshi men's health issues.

The project employs a full time Health and Advice Worker, Mr Alamgir Khandoker

Aims of the Project:

• Improve the health and lifestyle of Bangladeshi men living in Sandwell by addressing specific health related problems such as smoking, diabetes, blood pressure, coronary heart disease, asthma, pan chewing etc
• Provide information on the above mentioned health issues in a format that meets the language and cultural needs of the Bangladeshi community
• Promote equality of opportunity and improve their access to statutory health and social care services
• Establish working relationships with statutory and voluntary sector in providing local health needs